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Eph. 2: 16, 18, 22;
3: 1, 14 and 17.
"That He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross."
"Through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
"In Whom ye are also builded together for an habitation of God in Spirit. For this
cause . . . . . I bow my knees unto the Father . . . . . that Christ may dwell in your hearts
by faith."
The idea in selecting these verses is that of personal realization of what is already ours
in Christ. The passage before us suggests this in two ways. First, taking Eph. 2: 16
and 18. What has been already accomplished through the cross of Christ is the
reconciliation of the church in one body to God. What awaits the individual response is
the access of each reconciled member in one Spirit to the Father. The corresponding
terms, "reconcile" and "access", "body" and "spirit", "God" and "Father" tell their
own story. Secondly, the same truth is given point in Eph. 2: 22, 3: 1, 14 and 17.
The believers of this dispensation are being built together as the dwelling place of God,
therefore the apostle prayed that the individual member of that temple should himself
attain unto some experimental acquaintance with such a privilege and realize, by faith,
the dwelling of Christ also in the heart. In both examples, the idea of being merely
content with what is true of the mass is seen to be insufficient for full robust Christian
profession.
The above are a few passages that have been used before meetings. Each servant will
of course use those scriptures which fit the occasion. The above are but examples that
may illustrate a possible course where a steadying of those gathered seems necessary.
"Take heed you words and turn to the Lord" (Hos. 14: 2).